Bob, you are many things... but you are not a fool. You are Raw and honest. Thirsty for "real" and

This is where you will find me exposed, angry, embarrassing, plaintive, childish, inane, blemished, bemused and broken. Why do I invite you in? To drink your wine. To share your bed. To paint your walls. To touch your skin. To crack your shell. To steal your eyes. And return them open. To invade your prayers. To increase your song. To expose you to my madness and promise. To pour oil and wine on your wounds. To fail in all the above endeavors. Now it’s your turn.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Feeling tired and empty

Sometimes it's just so hard to get going in the morning after a restless night's sleep. Too many short disturbing dreams. Too much isolation. Too much me.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Activities at the Mace house

Eating Dinner

Watering the Plants

Listening to Music

Making Morning Coffee

The Evolving Home

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Evening on the lanai in Kahala, Hawaii

Early Sunday morning on the lanai

Friday, July 2, 2010

The New Look of the Upper Room

The Bar is now open!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

A Special Rosary for a Friend

Thanks Kimo.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Life of Service

Life is neither a vale of tears nor a circus of entertainment. Life is essentially a place of service, where on occasion one has to put up with a lot that is difficult, but more often than not where one can experience a great many joys. But real joy is had only when we see our life as service.

Leo Tolstoy

Saturday, June 26, 2010

The Disappearing Monk

Burn it blue

Burn this house
Burn it blue
Heart running on empty
So lost without you

But the night sky blooms with fire
And the burning bed floats higher
And she’s free to fly…

Woman so weary
Spread your unbroken wings
Fly free as the swallow sings
Come to the fireworks
See the dark lady smile
She burns…

And the night sky blooms with fire
And the burning bed floats higher
And she’s free to fly…

Burn this night
Black and blue
So cold in the morning
So cold without you

And the night sky blooms with fire
And the burning bed floats higher
And she’s free to fly

Y la noche que se incendia,
Y la cama que se eleva,
A volar…

And of the dark days
Painted in dark gray hues
They fade with the dream of you
Wrapped in red velvet
Dancing the night away
I burn…

Midnight blue
Spread those wings
Fly free with the swallows
Fly one with the wind

Y ella es flama que se eleva,
Y es un p�jaro a volar
Y es un p�jaro a volar
En la noche que se incendia,
El infierno es este cielo
Estrella de oscuridad

And the night sky blooms with fire
And the burning bed floats higher
And she ’s free to fly
Just a spark in the sky
Painting heaven and hell
Much brighter

Burn this house
Burn it blue
Heart running on empty
So lost without you

Music by Elliot Goldenthal
Lyrics by Julie Taymor
Performed by Caetano Veloso & Lila Downs

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Don't Turn Away

Sometimes a pair of sad old eyes
Can see the beauty and grace
Where others avoid looking

Happy Father's Day

My father - Robert E. Mace Sr.
Happy Father's Day Dad!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Saturday at home

Prayed my Rosary this morning. I started on the lanai, but ended it in my prayer and contemplation room that used to be the master bedroom. There are no masters here anymore. I had breakfast; tomato bisque soup and roasted garlic bread. The rest of the day I will read, listen to music and do light housekeeping. I'm in a Copland/Bernstein mood. I have become aware of colors and textures. My minds eye seems to be breaking everything I see down into its basic elements. Maybe it's just the music or the prayers. Maybe it's love. I'm capable of that too.
Later today I will go to the 5:15 Mass. Christ is found in the Mass. But he's here too.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Lighthouse Homeless Shelter Dinner Serving for June 27th, 2010

Lighthouse Homeless Shelter
Dinner Serving for June 27th, 2010
El sabor de México (A taste of Mexico)

Menú
Chips & Salsa
Pollo Asado (Grilled Chicken)
Arroz y Frijoles (Rice and Beans)
Tortias
Ensalada Mexicana (Mexican Salad)
Sandía (Watermelon)
Helado (Ice Cream)
Water, Juice & Milk

Ven y únete a nosotros para una gran noche de los alimentos, el compañerismo y el servicio en el refugio para personas sin hogar en Faro Waipahu.
(Come and join us for a great night of food, fellowship, and service at the Lighthouse Homeless Shelter in Waipahu.)
Email Bob at matthew25@clearwire.net for more information
Mahalo

It's hard every day

I wish I could end the day as the person who starts the day
In the morning I pray my rosary – I pray for those I’ve wronged
I ask forgiveness for the sins of the day before
I ask God’s help in not committing the same sins in
The day ahead – the new day ahead
I never seem to make it very far into this new day
Before I push myself out of the way
That old me with all the resentments, pride, vanity, lust,
Jealousy, anger, hurts, and self obsession begins to bark
It’s so hard sometimes to keep that dog down
Prayer helps – prayer throughout the day
It’s so hard to become a new man in Christ
I work and pray at it. But it’s hard

We won’t be alone

Francis, dirty and emaciated, danced a fool’s dance of love.

Paul, proud and pious, was blinded by the truth of love.

Damien, with calloused hands, washed the putrid sores with love.

Dorothy, with cigarette in hand, fed those we could not love.

Peter, lonesome wanderer, spoke, spoke, and spoke of love.

Mary, silent and watchful, was pierced by the sword of love.

That same sword that pierced her Son, redeeming love.

I want to dance a fool’s dance of love.

I want my blind eyes opened to God’s total love.

I want to wash away the putrid smell of sin, my sin, your sin.

I want to feed on the broken bread. I want to drink the blood poured out.

I want to hear truth of love spoken from the mouth of saints.

Dirty, rejected, earthly saints, who gave all they could for love.

I want you with me - I need you with me.

I can’t jump into the deep deep sea of love by myself.

Jump with me – dance with me – sing with me – serve with me.

We won’t be alone.

There will be a great number of Holy Fools that have jumped before.

To keep us afloat.

Works of Mercy

Corporal Works of Mercy

Corporal Works of Mercy are those that tend to bodily needs. The Judgment of Nations (Matthew 25:31-46) enumerates such acts—though not this precise list—as the reason for the salvation of the saved, and the omission of them as the reason for damnation. The last work of mercy, burying the dead, comes from the Book of Tobit.

1. Feed the hungry

2. Give drink to the thirsty

3. Clothe the naked

4. Shelter the homeless

5. Visit the sick

6. Visit the imprisoned

7. Bury the dead

Spiritual Works of Mercy

Not everyone is considered capable or obigated to perform the first three spiritual works of mercy if they do not have proper tact, knowledge or training to do so. The last four are considered to be the obligation of all people without condition.^[1]

1. Instruct the ignorant

2. Counsel the doubtful

3. Admonish sinners

4. Bear wrongs patiently

5. Forgive offences willingly

6. Comfort the afflicted

7. Pray for the living and the dead

Ten things we can do for our Lord and the least among us.

1. Serve: Our Lord's time on this earth was all about service. Service to you and me.
How can we in return serve him? By serving the least among us, we serve Our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Volunteer: Help ROL at our monthly IHS breakfast or monthly Lighthouse evening meal.
Volunteer to help the Hawaii Foodbank, Catholic Charities Hawaii or many other worthwhile local organizations.

3. Love: To love another person is to see the face of God. Any service we are involved in must be done as an act of love.
Unconditional love for our Lord Jesus Christ and our Brothers and Sisters in need. Our church is not about personal
avoidance of hell, but salvation for all souls by our faith, acts, love and prayers; bringing souls to Christ is our goal.

4. Care: If we are truly members of one holy, catholic and apostolic church in the Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
then we need to care for and about the least among us. We need to act on that caring. Even if it is just in
small acts, unseen to all but God, we need to care and to act.

5. Feed: Bring non-perishable food to mass for gifts to be distributed to the hungry. Even one can or box is appreciated.
Buy an extra fast food meal or sandwich and give it to the brother or sister digging through a trash can. We all see them.

6. Clothe: Give the clothes you no longer wear, but is in good condition, to organizations that distribute it to the poor.
Bring them to the Church and we'll distribute them to the poor.

7. Visit: Do you know any older persons that live alone? Any one in a hospital or home that no one visits? Visit them.
Take them something to eat. Read to them. Listen to their stories. Drive them to the store, doctors, and our church.
Pray with them. Wash them. Care for them. Love them.

8. Inspire: Invite your family and friends to join you in service. Create your own social service projects and get others
involved. Share your ideas and projects with us.

9. Vote: Vote for candidates that support Catholic values and beliefs, like Pro Life. Check out
http://www.procon.org for information on candidate's positions.

10. Pray: Pray for our brothers and sisters in need; the homeless, the hungry, the vulnerable, the sick, the lonely,
the addicted and the incarcerated. Pray in your room. Pray with your family. Pray with your friends.
Pray with those in need. Prayer is a powerful tool.

With Love, Francesco